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Year Four, Day 84: Balance Mode



A balanced day! At last! 

Since I last posted, I have been to hell and back! Sunday was an absolute #3:

I woke up feeling quite miserable: Congested, wheezing and full of negative thoughts. I wanted to remain in bed, but my mind was filled with thoughts of impending doom. Like, "What if this is the end?" "What if I never heal?"

I knew I had to get vertical. But the idea of talking to people, being friendly, putting forth any sort of effort at all was exhausting. It was getting late and I would not make it to my regular church in Vancouver on time. Then I remembered that the Catholic church downtown Vancouver had an 11:00 a.m. Gregorian Chant service. This got me moving! I have been wanting to attend this service for some time. My Catholic roots had been calling to me, plus my obsession with monks and contemplative life go way back. This would fit in with my day of isolation and solitude.  

It was the right thing to do.  My daughter, granddaughter and husband were leaving about the same time as I.  They asked if I would like a ride to the bus stop. I told them I would. They were attending a new church that morning. They asked if I would like to join them.

I told them I did not feel well, and did not think I could be friendly to "new people".  

My daughter turned around in her car seat and looked at me. One eyebrow was lifted. 

"OH!", she said with that annoying knowing tone in her voice. "Are we having a toxic day, Mom?"

I actually laughed.  Because she knows me so well. And yes, I was having a toxic day. My son-in-law looked at us in bewilderment until she explained our system to him.

He chuckled and said we were like the "Wind Talkers" of WW2 - we had our own "secret code".

As crazy as this sounds, this system of identifying my moods is really working.

Now to focus on my physical health. I have not been well lately. But this morning, I woke up feeling better then usual.  I ate relatively well yesterday, so I felt lighter. My cough has subsided.  

I have been making my version of "flu tea" every day. (I mince fresh ginger and put it in a tea pot along with a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice, turmeric, cinnamon, a few cloves and a few peppercorns, and a tablespoon of honey. I pour boiling water over the concoction and let it steep for a few minutes. Then I add it to my tea of choice.)

But this morning it occurred to me to actually eat some fresh, raw ginger with a tablespoon of honey.  I could feel the peppery spice work in my throat. Instant cough relief! 

My tummy feels better too.

I spoke with one of my student's moms whose whole family is sick with the flu. She texted me to cancel her daughter's lesson this afternoon. I gave her my flu tea recipe. She made it and was sipping it as we spoke!

Then I asked her if she knew how to make congee (she is Chinese). She told me she did and was making a pot for her husband. But then she told me there is a restaurant in town that makes SUPERIOR CONGEE!

I am so excited! It is called "Kenny's Noodles" on 82nd and Powell. I had no idea! I have passed that place  many a time on the bus.

We are making plans to meet for dinner some evening when the family is recovered. I can't wait!

But for now, it is so nice to have "me"  back.

I am not sure how long I will remain in balance mode. But I intend to enjoy it!
Talk to you soon!
Love,

Zita













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